[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 18, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42305-42306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17486]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OEI-2012-0547, FRL-9520-4]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Regulations.gov Information Collection
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this
document announces that EPA is planning to submit a request to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to renew the following existing
Information Collection Request (ICR): Regulations.gov Information
Collection, OMB Control Number 2025-0008, EPA ICR Number 2357.04.
Before submitting this ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is
soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information
collection as described below.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before September 17, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OEI-
2012-0547, to (1) EPA online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred
method), by email to brackett.shanita@epa.gov, by mail to: EPA Docket
Center, Environmental Protection Agency, mail code 28221T, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460, or by hand delivery: EPA
Docket Center, EPA West Bldg, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW.,
Washington, DC 20460. Such deliveries are only accepted during the
Docket's normal hours of operation.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shanita Brackett, OEI/OIC/CStD at the
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., (2822T),
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number (202) 566-1008; fax number (202)
566-1008: email address: brackett.shanita@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
What information is EPA particularly interested in?
Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA specifically
solicits comments and information to enable it to: (i) Evaluate whether
the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility; (ii) Evaluate the accuracy of
the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions
used; (iii) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (iv) Minimize the burden of the
collection of information on those who are to respond, including
through the use of appropriate automated electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. In
particular, EPA is requesting comments from very small businesses
(those that employ less than 25) on examples of specific additional
efforts that EPA could make to reduce the paperwork burden for very
small businesses affected by this collection.
What should I consider when I prepare my comments for EPA?
You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your
comments. 1. Explain your views as clearly as possible and provide
specific examples. 2. Describe any assumptions that you used. 3.
Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used that
support your views. 4. If you estimate potential burden or costs,
explain how you arrived at the estimate that you provide. 5. Offer
alternative ways to improve the collection activity. 6. Make sure to
submit your comments by the deadline identified under DATES. 7. To
ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the ICR title on the
first page of your response. You may also provide the Federal Register
citation.
What Information Collection Activity or ICR does this apply to?
Title: Regulations.gov Information Collection. OMB Control Number:
2025-0008.
Abstract: In response to the Presidential memorandum, the
eRulemaking Program launched the Regulations.gov `feedback exchange'
Web site in May 2009. This interactive Web site showcases new
technologies being considered for the Regulations.gov `feedback
exchange' and Regulations.gov, as well as other agency-specific
initiatives and rulemaking activities. The `feedback exchange' serves
as a learning laboratory for open government, enabling the public to
provide input on the Regulations.gov interface, build a community of
practice on the Federal regulatory development process, and ensure that
the eRulemaking Program can efficiently manage federal resources by
testing new tools before they are launched. New technologies considered
for the Regulations.gov `feedback exchange' and Regulations.gov
include: User Profiles; Comment Threads and Wikis; Ratings, Polls, and
Tagging; an interactive Educational Tool; and Information Export and
Sharing capabilities, such as application programming interfaces (or
APIs). These technologies have been deployed iteratively, with some
components deployed upon the site's original release in May 2009, and
others deployed during updates throughout the last three years. Other
components are still being considered and will be released during
subsequent upgrades to the Regulations.gov `feedback exchange' and
Regulations.gov. User profiles enable the public to register on the
site and pre-load submitter information for later use as well as save
their own
[[Page 42306]]
personalized searches, RSS feeds, and email alerts without the use of
persistent cookies. Comment Threads allow the public to enter into
virtual conversations with one another about a topic. Wikis enable the
public to collaboratively develop and modify narrative descriptions
about a topic. Ratings and Polls allow the public to indicate a
preference for a topic or issue via the selection of stars or thumbs
up/thumbs down icons which graphically provide an at-a-glance
indication of public sentiment and can simplify navigation. Tagging
provides the public with the ability to tag or label information they
or someone else has posted to the site to ease navigation and to
promote the formation of common interest categories. The Educational
Tool informs the public about the Federal rulemaking process through
interactive text and images. The Data Export capability and APIs enable
the public to download and review the contents of a rulemaking docket
as well as mix and match such information with other information in new
and innovative ways. The Regulations.gov ``feedback exchange'' relies
on feedback from Government, Industry, Academia and Citizenry to
improve Regulations.gov as time goes on.
Burden Statement: The annual public reporting and recordkeeping
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 35
hours per year. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial
resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or
disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This
includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire,
install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of
collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and
maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information;
adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable
instructions and requirements which have subsequently changed; train
personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search
data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and
transmit or otherwise disclose the information.
The ICR provides a detailed explanation of the Agency's estimate,
which is only briefly summarized here:
Affected Entities: Anyone that chooses to visit Regulations.gov.
Estimated Total Number of Potential Respondents: 1,000.
Estimated Total Number of Potential Responses: 7,000.
Frequency of Response: Occasionally.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 35 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Capital and Operations and Maintenance
Costs: $30,000.
What is the next step in the process for this ICR?
EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as
appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for
review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. At that time, EPA will
issue another Federal Register notice pursuant to 5 CFR
1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce the submission of the ICR to OMB and the
opportunity to submit additional comments to OMB. If you have any
questions about this ICR or the approval process, please contact the
person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
John Moses,
Director, Collection Strategies Division.
[FR Doc. 2012-17486 Filed 7-17-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P